The disabilities that workers have can be very different from one case to the next. Employers are required to make reasonable accommodations in many situations, and they could be accused of disability discrimination if they refuse to do so. But there isn’t a set guideline that must be followed in all cases because each case is unique, and the accommodations may look different from one workplace to the next.
As an employee, you may be wondering how to ask for the necessary accommodations to do your job effectively. Can you make this request of your employer?
Getting the process started
Yes, typically what happens is that an employee who needs accommodations will make the request and the employer should strive to fulfill that request in a reasonable timeframe. In fact, in many cases, employers have no obligation to make changes until the request is made. It is at this point that the employer officially knows about the disability limitations and the need for accommodations, so it is only at this point that they have a legal obligation to make changes.
In many cases, communication between both sides can help this process go smoothly because the necessary accommodations are not that significant. Say that someone is working at the circulation desk or a library and they suffer a spinal cord injury that means they are now in a wheelchair. They can still do all of the same tasks, but they simply need a desk space that is built specifically to accommodate that wheelchair. It could be a violation of their rights if the employer fires them instead of making these simple modifications to the workplace.
Again, though, every case is unique, so it’s very important for you to know exactly what steps to take in your specific situation.